Chapter 63 Medicine Concerns Human Lives
With Amelia around, even Francis, who was pretty famous in River City, ended up taking a back seat.
Francis had already admitted he couldn't save Vaughn.
When Amelia gave her instructions, Francis immediately stood up and said, "Sure thing, Ms. Martinez," before heading out of the bedroom to welcome the guests.
Now there was a tiny glimmer of hope that Vaughn might survive, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Except for Kismet.
Hidden from view, Kismet's hands shook, unsure if it was from anger or fear.
She was the only one who knew the truth about Vaughn's condition.
How could this be happening?
Kismet couldn't wrap her head around how Amelia could be Royce's final and most important disciple, or how she had the Return Elixir that could cure any poison.
Was this some kind of movie?
Could such a miraculous medicine actually exist?
Kismet had gone to great lengths to discreetly poison Vaughn, perfectly framing Amelia, whom she despised.
But now Amelia claimed she could save Vaughn?
Kismet was about to grind her teeth to dust.
At the Williams family banquet, Kismet had tried to force Amelia into breaking off her engagement with Quentin, only to be effortlessly rebuffed.
Furious, Kismet vowed she would never let Amelia marry Quentin and join the Williams family. She had to find a way to break off the engagement.
Later, Kismet saw Uma carrying a prescription written by Amelia from Vaughn's room. She was about to throw it away when a sudden thought hit her.
This might be her chance.
The prescription was written by Amelia, and Vaughn trusted her enough to take her medicine.
Vaughn was old and frail but had stubbornly clung to life.
If Kismet tampered with the medicine, adding or substituting ingredients, could she discreetly cause Vaughn's death?
In this scenario, Vaughn's death would be blamed on Amelia's medicine, making Amelia the prime suspect, while Kismet stayed in the clear.
With Vaughn gone, Kismet could easily break off Amelia and Quentin's engagement. Plus, Amelia would face jail time or even execution for Vaughn's death.
After all, Amelia was just an illegitimate child of the Martinez family, whose influence was nothing compared to the Williams family.
Amelia had no power or connections in River City, and no one would come to her aid.
A few years in prison would teach Amelia a hard lesson for daring to confront Kismet.
The more Kismet thought about it, the more perfect the plan seemed.
The next day, she went alone to a certain place.
The man there glanced at the prescription and said that just one altered ingredient would cause Vaughn to die within five days, with no chance of recovery.
His student, exceptionally talented, could mimic anyone's handwriting with just a glance.
The man's words proved accurate.
After five days of taking the medicine, Vaughn grew increasingly weak. When Uma reported the symptoms, Kismet brushed them off, secretly hoping for worse.
Today was the fifth day, and Vaughn vomited blood and collapsed after breakfast, clearly poisoned.
Kismet was thrilled.
She notified Niamh and Anna, then interrogated Kevin. When Amelia arrived, Kismet hurled a teacup at her.
Even if Michael disapproved, Kismet felt justified. For someone responsible for Vaughn's condition, Kismet felt it was her right to attack.
Amelia claimed the prescription had been tampered with, but who would believe her?
Only the man, Vaughn, Uma, and Kismet had seen the prescription.
Uma wouldn't have noticed the change, and Vaughn was unconscious, unable to testify.
Amelia couldn't prove her innocence.
But Kismet hadn't anticipated that within minutes, Amelia would reveal herself as Royce's final and most important disciple, claiming to have a life-saving medicine.
Could the Return Elixir really be that miraculous?
"Ms. Martinez, your friend is here."
Soon, the bedroom door opened.
Everyone turned to see Francis had brought in Leroy, dressed in a white shirt.
Leroy had a refined appearance and a calm demeanor. His clothes were worn, suggesting a humble background.
Yet he ignored the room full of aristocrats, focusing solely on Amelia and walking straight to her.
"I brought what you asked for."
Leroy stood before Amelia, handing her a small red silk pouch.
Amelia took the pouch, her expression relaxing slightly.
"Thanks for your help. But shouldn't you be in class at Prestige High School? How did you get out?" Amelia asked, her eyes bright and focused on Leroy.
Leroy's gaze wavered, looking away awkwardly. "No need to thank me. I climbed the wall."
Michael, standing beside Amelia, frowned.
Though brief, he noticed Leroy's shy expression and the faint redness in his ears.
Leroy was clearly smitten with Amelia.
Michael stepped forward, subtly placing himself between Amelia and Leroy, and asked in a low voice, "Who is this?"
"My desk mate at Prestige High School and my only friend right now," Amelia explained casually.
She searched the pouch and retrieved a delicate wooden box.
Inside was a small black pill, seemingly ordinary.
"Is this the Return Elixir?" Kevin asked.
"Yes."
Amelia held the pill between her fingers, showing no concern for its rarity.
She was about to give Vaughn the Return Elixir when Francis hesitated and stopped her. "Wait, Ms. Martinez."
Amelia turned to him. "What's wrong?"
Francis took a deep breath. "Have you forgotten? According to our ancestral rules, the Return Elixir can't be used on outsiders. If you do this, you'll be violating the rules."
What?
After finally getting the life-saving medicine, now you're saying it can't be used?
Niamh was furious. If Amelia withdrew the medicine, Niamh might physically snatch it from her.
But Amelia looked at Francis, speaking earnestly. "Your concern for the rules shows your dedication. I'm pleased."
"But remember, the rule exists because the medicine's effects were uncertain. Mr. Castillo has personally verified the Return Elixir's efficacy."
"Saving a life by breaking the rule won't anger Mr. Castillo. Otherwise, he wouldn't have given you my number."
Amelia's calm, clear voice and her composed demeanor captivated everyone.
No one objected this time. Amelia approached Vaughn's bed, feeling a pang of sympathy for his pallid face and lips.
She recalled Vaughn's words that night, promising to support her in River City and stand up for her against any injustice from the Martinez family.
His kind, familial gaze had touched her deeply. Amelia took a breath, her eyes turning cold.
She not only intended to save Vaughn but also to restore his health and uncover the culprit who had used her to harm him.
Amelia held Vaughn's mouth open and placed the Return Elixir inside, using her soul's power to aid absorption.
Everyone anxiously waited.
After a minute or two, Vaughn's fingers twitched, and he slowly opened his cloudy eyes.
Before anyone could celebrate, Vaughn's expression twisted in pain. His head tilted, and he vomited black blood onto Amelia's hand.